Holland Symfonia will continue to exist, though in a scaled-down form. This is the conclusion of the recommendation made by the Council for Culture on Friday 31 August.
Following the Council’s earlier negative recommendation, in the second application round Holland Symfonia was designated as the regular orchestra for accompanying the Dutch National Ballet. It is expected that outgoing State Secretary Halbe Zijlstra will follow the recommendation.
Ted Brandsen, director of the Dutch National Ballet, said “We are happy that Holland Symfonia has received a positive recommendation from the Council for Culture. The Dutch National Ballet has supported Holland Symfonia throughout the whole process and we will continue to do so. We are entering a difficult period. The cutbacks mean that nearly two-thirds of the musicians are losing their job. But guaranteeing the highest quality performances remains our priority”.
The orchestra will also continue its accompaniment of the educational activities of the Dutch National Ballet and The Amsterdam Music Theatre, in which it has built up ‘an excellent reputation’, according to the Council.